Come, Be Still: Remembering Grandma

Today I remember a very special Grandma...

Grandma R. 1919 - 2015

Nov. 2014 - My last visit in their home

Written nine years ago:

November 22, 2006

I just had the most fun afternoon I've had in ages. First, I got to be a piano student again for an hour - so much fun! Then, on the drive home I suddenly decided to visit Grandpa and Grandma (my mom's parents) who live in a little "town" which boasts all of 11 houses. I haven't seen them much since before my summer semester at SIL-UND and can't remember the last time I had a chance to stop at their place even though I drive by several times each week.

Grandpa is 90 and Grandma 87, but they are still very spunky and energetic.

2011 - G & G shared every birthday, February 26th

Grandma has already done a bunch of her Christmas baking, including all of her lefse for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. That's hours and hours of work to satisfy around 30 family members!

2009 - Lesfe

2010 - Flatbread

2010 - Christmas Eve Traditions

Grandpa still goes out regularly for his 5 mile walks, and when I came today, he was about do some rock-picking in one of their gardens. Nevertheless, when a grandchild stops by they drop everything and sit down to visit.

2008 - At the Lake

After doing some catching up, Grandma asked if I was up for some "coffee." That means whatever we like best to drink - be it coffee, tea, pop, etc. - and several varieties of her baking. I think she was surprised that I took her up on the actual coffee! None of her children drink the stuff, but several of us grandchildren now enjoy it. With cream skimmed off of a local farmer's raw milk plus some sugar, I enjoyed my coffee and preview of Christmas cookies.

While the coffee was being prepared, Grandpa gestured at the piano and asked his usual, “Do you have any music you could play for me?” Grandma laughed and said she thought I must get tired of always being pestered to play, but I could truthfully say that I enjoy playing for such an appreciative audience. I can’t imagine anyone is as proud of their grandchildren’s music as my grandpa. And not just any music either. He goes for rich classical music and hymns. I grabbed my piano books from the car and coaxed what I could from their tinny old piano as Grandpa soaked it all in from his recliner nearby.

As we were chatting about the sad trend of people preferring entertainment to “real artists” and classical concerts, Grandma stepped in to invite us to the kitchen. She had to laugh again when Grandpa said (in Norwegian) that we should say the Norwegian table prayer. They were happily surprised that I knew it and could keep up with them. Several years ago Grandpa had wanted all of us grandkids to learn “I Jesu Navn…,” so he gave us each a handwritten copy. I stuck it on my dresser mirror until I memorized it. I don’t know what every word means, but it has a nice musical rhythm in my mind.

When our conversation turned to which picture they would chose to send with their Christmas letter, I remembered I hadn’t yet seen the pictures from their trip to

Norway

this spring. Even at their age they made the international trek once again to spend a couple of weeks visiting relatives and introducing three of their granddaughters to the “fatherland.”

Though both thoroughly enjoyed the trip, it had been quite the struggle to convince Grandma to go. But Grandpa had his mind set and wouldn’t give in. He hinted that if my sisters and I would go to Norway next year, he’d come with us!

Grandma said she probably wouldn’t let him.

Grandpa responded with a laugh that he was a pretty independent man.

Grandma exulted that he had finally admitted it. :-)

“There you said it! Now I have something on you!”

“No you don’t. I know it!”…

2013 - 70th Wedding Anniversary

2010 - Happy Couple

Anyway, we probably spent the next hour looking at their pictures and trying to get all of the relatives and places straight. Grandpa’s father came over from

Norway

at age 16, so there are still a first cousin or two left besides many other relatives. If fact, Grandpa and Grandma called a cousin this morning and visited in Norwegian. Yes, they speak Norwegian. Or, I should say, Grandpa speaks Norwegian and Grandma always answers in English. (I guess in Norway one of the relatives told her she could speak it better than Grandpa though.)

What a fun time – visiting with Grandpa and Grandma! It is even more special when I realize how few of these afternoons may be left for us. They wouldn’t let me go without a big hug… and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way home.

Hannah

A Bit of Grandma's Legacy